Requirements for Infrastructure and Essential Activities of Infection Control and Epidemiology in Hospitals: A Consensus Panel Report

Abstract

The scientific basis for claims of efficacy of nosocomial infection surveillance and control programs was established by the Study on the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control project. Subsequent analyses have demonstrated nosocomial infection prevention and control programs to be not only clinically effective but also cost-effective. Although governmental and professional organizations have developed a wide variety of useful recommendations and guidelines for infection control, and apart from general guidance provided by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, there are surprisingly few recommendations on infrastructure and essential activities for infection control and epidemiology programs. In April 1996, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America established a consensus panel to develop recommendations for optimal infrastructure and essential activities of infection control and epidemiology programs in hospitals. The following report represents the consensus panel's best assessment of needs for a healthy and effective hospital-based infection control and epidemiology program. The recommendations fall into eight categories: managing critical data and information; setting and recommending policies and procedures; compliance with regulations, guidelines, and accreditation requirements; employee health; direct intervention to prevent transmission of infectious diseases; education and training of healthcare workers; personnel resources; and nonpersonnel resources. The consensus panel used an evidence-based approach and categorized recommendations according to modifications of the scheme developed by the Clinical Affairs Committee of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee.

Modeling Inpatient Glucose Management Programs on Hospital Infection Control Programs: An Infrastructural Model of Excellence

“…In 2006, 10 years after the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) stablished consensus recommendations on the infrastructure of ICPs, 1 the American College of Endocrinology and the ADA published a consensus statement outlining infrastructure requirements of GMPs. 16 Among the recommendations were the need for administrative support; formation of a multidisciplinary steering committee to promote development of initiatives; assessment of current processes, quality of care, and barriers; development and implementation of interventions (that is, protocols, policies, algorithms); and metrics for evaluation.…”

“…75,78–87 Educational initiatives in inpatient glycemic control, like those in infection control, should be “simple, clear, and relevant to the policies of the healthcare facility.” 1(p. 118) The choice of teaching formats should be based on the learning style of the target audience and commensurate with their level of involvement in glucose management. Educational initiatives should extend to all levels of personnel involved in glucose management.…”

“…1 At the time of the SENIC study (1974–1983), most hospital epidemiologists were not formally trained in epidemiology; however, as ICPs evolved in the 1980s and 1990s, training in epidemiology became more widespread. Formal training could be obtained through a course offered by SHEA and the CDC 1 ; this high level of training and clinical expertise justified financial compensation for the hospital epidemiologist. 1 …”

“…1 By the early 1970s, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that hospitals establish ICPs to prevent hospital-acquired infections. 2 The Joint Commission followed suit shortly thereafter, releasing standards for ICPs as a criterion for hospital accreditation in 1976.…”

Shaping the future for quality: Initiating active surveillance as foundation to drive improvement for health care-associated infections

“…1,2 Surveillance is conducted by infection preventionists to provide data and it plays a critical role in determining endemic HCAI rates, early epidemic detection, implementing risk-reduction strategies and assessment of the efficacy of interventions. 3 Surveillance is defined as the "ongoing data collection, collation, and analysis and the ongoing dissemination of information to those who need to know, so that prompt action can be implemented to reduce morbidity and mortality and to improve health". 1,4,5 Surveillance of HCAIs is also an essential component of an effective infection prevention and control program.…”